A beautiful sunny mid-morning to noontime ski. Mostly good on the easy trails on the western side except a bad unavoidable ice flow just past Intersection B on the Lower Snowman Loop and some bare spots on the last stretch of the North Advanced Trail. Also did the Pincushion Mtn. loop, double-tracked as noted up to the Overlook cutoff and in very good shape, but not groomed on the lower part back to the parking area, although still skiable (pretty dirty under the thick pine trees). All in all, a lot of fun but not sure how much longer it will be viable.

Photos:

(Dave Carlson)

A section of the Pincushion Mountain Trail was double tracked this morning, and conditions were quite good. Universal klister was good for kick. Might be the last hurrah for skiing at Pincushion, unless we get some more snow.

(Timothy Lederle)

Cmdr Jim reports: Base 10" with no significant new snow. Pincushion Mountain Trail was tilled and groomed with 2 sets of classic tracks, pretty good spring condition although grooming stops at the Overlook, with no grooming beyond. If you need to get that last classic ski run up at Pincushion, today is the day to do it -- may be one of our last system-wide days. Snow base remains good on the upper loops and valleys. *Special thanks to Charlie, Chris and Jim who groomed in all weather and at all times of day and night, with help from Bob, Jane and Elise on the trails and the chalet. We have already begun grooming plans for next winter, to include summer and fall projects on trail improvements and conditioning.

Photos:

(Bob Nesheim)

Our groomers were out this morning and double tracked the Pincushion Mountain loop, aka the Intermediate Loop. Thanks, Charlie and Jim!

(Maureen Hayes)

Base: 15 inches, new snow: none this week. Spring skiing at Pincushion Mountain is very good right now, although trail conditions can be variable based on sun exposure and temperature. Grooming plan: Here's our heads-up for this weekend: All trails are classic tracked and the skating deck will be tilled, compacted and combed again on Friday night. This should give us some of the best spring skiing in a while, with temperatures staying on the cooler side.

(Bob Nesheim)

Very good base but melts are threatening in low spots -- we need cold-enough nights to properly work on warmth-stressed conditions. Cap'n Charlie groomed all of the skate lanes on easy and intermediate trails Thursday and Friday nights. Classic tracks reset where needed. Typical spring skiing conditions -- daily afternoon thawing, followed by nighttime refreezing.

(Bob Nesheim)

Plenty of snow and all trails are in good shape, both skate deck and classic tracks. The skate deck was firm and fast overall, icy in some spots (esp on Pincushion Loop downhill from Overlook) and showing some wear and small debris in a few spots. There were some hiking boot tracks right up the middle of the track out of the stadium - need to get the word out this is not allowed during ski season. One tricky spot on approach to Lower Snowman where there is a blocked culvert and ice flow across trail (narrow passage on snow). Fresh grooming planned for Thursday evening.

(Christopher O'Brien)

Nicely tracked for both skating and classical but I only skied the easy classical trails this morning. Good snow base, good conditions, with no wind this morning; beautiful forest.

(Shirley Wuchter)

Deep base, recently damaged surfaces. All trails were re-groomed and re-tracked Wednesday night. Due to inconsistent snow texture, the end result was variable today. Some classic tracks are not clean and crisp. The skate deck is generally flat and firm. Spring conditions.

(Bob Nesheim)

Poor conditions. Very icy and all beat up from warm weather 5 days ago.

(Bill Hansen)